Liverpool players raise Premier League trophy in front of Klopp

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Liverpool players celebrate with the winner’s trophy after the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, center, reacts as he watches the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

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Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah hugs teammate Trent Alexander-Arnold to celebrate after scoring his side’s first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at the Anfield stadium in Liverpool, England, Sunday, May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Jon Super)

By STEVE DOUGLAS

Liverpool’s players have finally got their hands on the Premier League trophy — and Jurgen Klopp was back at Anfield to enjoy the celebrations.

The Reds clinched a record-tying 20th English top-flight title on April 27 but had to wait a month to receive the trophy after their final game of the season — a 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Klopp, who left as Liverpool manager at the end of last season, returned to Anfield for its campaign-ending party. The German was seen clapping and smiling as the team’s players, starting with captain Virgil van Dijk to a backdrop of fireworks and ticker tape, lifted the trophy.

“He left the team in such a good place — disciplined, quality — and that’s what made my life, my job, easier to start,” said Arne Slot, Klopp’s successor. “Life as a Premier League manager is never easy because of all the competitors we had but he couldn’t have left the club in a better place than he did.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is leaving Liverpool to reportedly join Real Madrid, was given a good reception after coming on as a halftime substitute and again when going up to get the trophy. He was jeered by some Liverpool fans at a home match against Arsenal two weeks ago.

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Alexander-Arnold was seen wiping away tears as he celebrated with his teammates on Sunday.

“I didn’t know what to expect, stepping out at Anfield today after what happened a few weeks ago,” he said, “but I wanted to play for the club one more time. I said that to the manager and he trusted me to go in there at halftime.

“To get the reception I got means more than anything to me ... I have never felt so loved and cared for like I did today.”

Alexander-Arnold said it “goes down as the best day for me in my life.”

Liverpool finished the season on 84 points, 10 clear of second-placed Arsenal.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer